Parasitoids of cereal leaf beetle, Oulema gallaeciana (Heyden, 1879)

Abstract

Cereal leaf beetles are serious animal pests of crops in many areas of western and eastern Slovakia. Research was carried out in these areas in order to receive knowledge on occurrence of natural enemies of Oulema gallaeciana. We were detecting particular species of parasitoids parasitising Oulema gallaeciana and their spreading in particular area. The results showed that dominant parasitoid was Necremnus leucarthros. Other parasitoids with bigger proportion on parasitisation were Pteromalus vibulenus and Diplazon spp. with parasitisation up to 30%. In respect of significant parasitisation of Oulema gallaeciana by parasitoid Necremnus leucarthros, it would be appropriate to use this species for biological control of cereal leaf beetle.